Useful to know • SOFIA LATIF®

Fozia Latif 20/05/2022 Healthy skin

A Guide To Your Skin During Menopause

Usually occurring between 45-55 years of age, the period of menopause succeeds perimenopause and officially begins one year after a woman’s last period. It often comes with changes, related to hormone fluctuations. When it comes to our skin, many women feel unsure about how to manage changes like dryness and breakouts. This post is here to guide you …

Fozia Latif 06/05/2022 Healthy skin

A Guide To Your Skin During Perimenopause

When it comes to perimenopause, many women feel unsure about what to expect, especially when it’s related to changes in their skin. It’s particularly difficult to navigate when there’s little mainstream conversation on the subject too. That’s why we’re here, to provide you with information, education and to carry on …

Sofia 22/04/2022 Healthy skin

Moisturisers With SPF vs A Separate SPF

It’s getting brighter, with more sunny days coming. Thoughts turn to spending more time outdoors, and the need for more SPF in our routines to protect our skin from sun damage. Is it enough to use moisturisers with SPF or is it better to have a separate SPF? Let’s take a look at the pros and …

Sofia 01/04/2022 Healthy skin

Face Oil As A Pre-treatment In The Morning

Do you have those days where you wake and skin is feeling tight and a little bit stiff, and looking a bit dull? I do, and sometimes there can be no obvious reason for it. When that happens, I tend to use some face oil as a pre-treatment before jumping in the shower. There is nothing complicated or fancy about&…

Fozia Latif 03/03/2022 Sofia's blog

Solutions For Sensitised Skin

Sensitised skin is a common skincare challenge that is the result of skin which has been overstimulated by the use of too many or harsh topical products. This is as opposed to sensitive skin, which is the result of genetics, age and thin skin. Whether it relates to redness, rashes or a change in texture, most women across all age&…

Sofia 25/02/2022 Useful to know

Spring Clean Your Beauty & Wellbeing Routine

It feels like we are coming out of hibernation with the days getting longer and brighter, and little blossoms appearing on trees, all giving us a sense of excitement and possibility. Spring is a wonderful season to birth new morning habits and spring clean your home, beauty and wellbeing routine. With lighter mornings helping us to get up a little&…

Fozia Latif 07/01/2022 Healthy skin

What is Skinimalism?

On the surface, ‘skinimalism’ might seem a tongue-twister, but as complex as it sounds, its meaning is, in fact, rooted in simplicity. Coined by users on Pinterest, skinimalism is about stripping back your skincare, bringing your natural skin texture to the surface and embracing slow beauty that supports sustainable skincare and clean products to nourish your best skin …

Sofia 31/12/2021 Useful to know

Do you need a face oil, face serum, or both?

Understanding how skincare works empowers you to make an informed purchase, selecting products suited to your skin type/condition and getting the most out of them as part of your routine. Today we are exploring the difference between face oils and face serums, helping you to determine which you need and giving you expert advice on how to use them. …

Sofia 25/11/2021 Healthy Living

Our Top Tips For Autumn / Winter Wellbeing

We prefer to group our seasons in two instead of the usual four – Spring/Summer when our weather is usually dry and sunny with warm to hot temperatures and then Autumn/Winter, when the weather changes to colder air, rain, wind, and even snow. There is a marked change from one seasonal group to the other which, for most …

Fozia Latif 29/07/2021 Healthy skin

Night-time Nourishment – Face Oils vs Creams

When it comes to skincare, it can be difficult to know what kinds of products to invest in, when there are just so many different ones on the market. Here at SL Towers, we swear by a few staples – one of these is a good night and day cream duo. The difference is night and day Day creams work&…

Fozia Latif 01/07/2021 Useful to know

The Tradition And Skincare Techniques Of Gua sha

Also known as ‘coining,’ Gua sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique, traditionally practiced on the body but now more commonly known in the West as a method of relaxing and reviving stiff neck and facial muscles. It’s an alternative therapy recommended for reducing inflammation and stimulating blood flow, and while the benefits are yet to …

Sofia 11/06/2021 Healthy skin

How To Make The Most Of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is the darling of the skincare industry but did you know it is not actually an acid? In this post we’ll be revealing some of the science behind how it works, its skin benefits and how you can make sure you’re getting the best from it… SO WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID AND WHAT …

Fozia Latif 06/05/2021 Healthy skin

Are Hormones to Blame for Post 40s Breakouts?

For many women over 40 sudden skin breakouts, usually associated with teenagers, would be enough to have them reaching for the lotions. But don’t apply them just yet. While breakouts are a barely spoken symptom of perimenopause, they are just one of many challenges characterised by significant fluctuations in hormone levels. We know that the perimenopause is a huge …

Sofia 16/04/2021 Useful to know

The minimal skincare routine you can get away with

As more of us are embracing slow living and self care in favour of our old hectic lifestyles, similar trends have become more prevalent with our skincare choices. It seems that as women, we’re no longer just looking to simplify our beauty regime because we’re so short of time, but rather we’re thinking more …

Fozia Latif 04/02/2021 Useful to know

Layering Your Skincare Products For The Best Results

One debate we see often is whether a face oil should be used before or after a moisturiser. Which side do you sit on? In today’s post, we’re going to be sharing how to layer your skincare to get the most from each of your products and leave you with happy, healthy skin. …

Sofia 02/01/2021 Useful to know

Is A Detox Worth It For Healthy Skin And Hair?

*Spoiler alert* it all depends on what is meant by a detox. It’s that time of year when we give ourselves a hard time for being indulgent over the festive period, and we go on a detox as a counterbalance. A detox means different things to different people; for some, it’s giving up certain foods …

Sofia 17/12/2020 Healthy skin

The Best Way To Use A Face Oil

We are often asked what is the best way to use a face oil. It is something we love talking about, as you can imagine! In a nutshell, there is no best way to use a face oil, just your way which you are most comfortable with when including it in your routine. Face oils are versatile and can&…

Sofia 19/11/2020 Useful to know

How Long Should You Use Skincare Before Giving Up?

We are living in an era of instant gratification, where we want things now, sometimes jumping in with both feet and expecting quick results. But when it comes to our skin, any product or routine changes we make require patience to fully reap the benefits. SKINCARE IS MORE THAN JUST THE PRODUCTS Skincare is more than just the&…

Sofia 05/11/2020 Sofia's blog

The Role Of Vitamin E In Skin And Scalp Care

Alongside A and C, vitamin E is another vitamin that is a focus in beauty products. It is found in our bodies, in foods and as supplements, but it’s also the most common ingredient found in skincare and hair care products today. With eight types – including pure vitamin E oil, tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate – ‘…

Sofia 22/10/2020 Sofia's blog

The Role Of Vitamin A In Skin And Scalp Care

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the body, playing multiple roles in skin and scalp care. There are two types of vitamin A – retinoids (preformed) and carotenoids (proformed). Both types are converted by the liver to a derivative called retinol. If it isn’t used immediately, it’s stored by the body or transported via …

Sofia 24/09/2020 Useful to know

The Role Of Vitamin C In Skin And Scalp Care

Another wonder ingredient making the headlines lately, Vitamin C – an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) also called Ascorbic Acid – is a water-soluble vitamin which plays multiple roles within the body. Despite its importance, it’s not something stored in the body, therefore it’s important that we provide it through consumption and topical application. Today we&…

Sofia 06/08/2020 Healthy skin

Natural ways to reduce dark circles under eyes

Dark circles. One day they’re not too bad, other days they are prominent and nothing seems to help. Most commonly associated with fatigue, the shadows under the lower eyelids can actually exist for a number of different reasons. Understanding what causes them to appear will help you take steps to prevent them. Here are our tips for naturally …

Sofia 03/07/2020 Healthy Scalp

What To Expect If You’ve Never Used A Scalp Oil

When it comes to happy, balanced hair and the products we use, our primary focus is usually on the hair, with scalp care being a secondary priority or maybe not thought about at all. So with the scalp being equally as important or perhaps even more so than the hair itself to achieve that glossy, healthy appearance and texture,&…

Sofia 15/03/2020 Sofia's blog

The Benefits Of Cleansing Your Skin In The Morning

Back in our post, Should You Cleanse Your Face In The Morning? we discussed the concept of not cleansing during your morning skincare routine. While some think that by cleansing in the morning we are removing an essential level of protection which comes from natural oils and dead skin cells, we believe that if you use the best products&…

Sofia 08/03/2020 Useful to know

The Easiest Way To Seal In Moisture For Hydrated Skin

We all know that winter can play havoc with our skin. With colder weather, central heating on and most of us drinking less water, moisture loss from our bodies is increased and can ultimately lead to poorly hydrated skin. One misconception is that if we slather on more moisturiser than in the warmer months we will increase hydration levels sufficiently&…

Sofia 01/03/2020 Healthy skin

How Lymphatic Facials Help With Skin Health

Lymphatic drainage treatments have been around for many years and have multiple benefits. From boosting circulation to ensuring the body is deeply cleansed and nourished, in this post, we’ll be revealing why lymphatic massage (and in particular, lymphatic facials) is so important to making sure our lymphatic system is working at its best… WHAT IS LYMPHATIC …

Sofia 12/07/2019 Useful to know

How to keep your skin glowing after a facial

We all love how our skin looks and feels after a facial – that smoothness and plumpness; that clarity and glow which our friends and family comment on with envy. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could keep skin glowing for longer? Giving yourself a mini-facial at home is one way to keep your glow long after your …

Sofia 14/04/2019 Healthy skin

Face massage for naturally glowing skin

We all want glowing skin. And we all want the best from every skincare product we invest in, and if we can find ways to make that investment work harder for us, then we feel like it is good value. Face massage is one way to make skincare products work harder for us. It’s a technique used by …

Sofia 23/03/2019 Healthy skin

Tips for naturally reducing puffiness under eyes

Puffiness under eyes and bags are common complaints, and we all suffer from them from time to time. Sadly, there is no magic cure for puffiness under eyes but a reduction in the severity of it is possible, with some lifestyle changes and new habits. What causes puffiness under eyes The skin around eyes is thin, delicate, and …

Sofia 28/12/2018 Healthy skin

How to de-puff skin following an indulgent few days

Skin is too quick to give up the secret of an indulgent few days, showing up as puffy and dry, unpredictable and grey. Not indulging just isn’t an option sometimes. The quickest and easiest way to de-puff skin and bring it back to health is to drink lots of water, and to move. Moving our bodies will support …

Sofia 22/11/2017 Useful to know

How to use our face oil for best results

The best time to use our face oil is at night, when skin rests, recovers, and rejuvenates. It is suitable for all skin types – use less drops if you have oily skin, more if your skin is dry. If your skin is hypersensitive then you may find the essential oils are not suitable. It is easy …